Help me decide on high speed film

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einolu

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Im about to put in an order for some bulk film, but I cant decide on what to get. I have plenty of APX 100 laying around, but I want something faster since 100-200 iso is a bit slow when I am indoors.

I am currently deciding between: Tri-X and HP5+. I use diafine, so thats 800 and 1600 iso. What is the difference between the films, does one have more range than the other, is one easier to scan? The price is basically the same for 100', just looking for some advice.
 
Tri-X, because I like it :p Can't tell you why, but after using Hp5 and Tri-X for a while I prefer TriX, both scan fine.
 
I use HP5+ and Tri-X but I don't use diafine. Both are beautiful films which I rate from 200 up to 1600 depending on the light or effect I'm after. To my eyes Tri-X gives a more creamy tonal range but HP5+ more punch.

Choose either and I'm sure you will be happy ;)

Manolo is right Tri-X will accept under exposure more or at least it does the way I soup my films LOL
 
High speed? High speed? HP5+? TriX?

Neopan 1600 pushed at least a stop.

That's high speed. :D

I love it. Of course, I particularly dig the black-and-white-you-can-almost-forget-about-grey tonality. :)
 
You ever tried triX at 6400 :D THAT is high speed :D

Sorry 'bout the quality, its a scanned print from the days of yore befor my film scanner arrived.
 
I love Tri-X but think I like Neopan 400 even better. Finer grain and beautiful tonality.

Gene
 
I've had all sorts of luck with tri-x between 800 and 1600, and that's in rodinal, partial stand development. Can't speak for HP5, but I know that tri-x will be up to scratch. Diafine will probably be perfect for this task, but I've never used it. The vicious thing about pushing tri-x to high speeds is that you tend to shoot it in completely unfavorable conditions. You can probably push tri-x to 6400 with no problem in outdoor/daylit conditions, but in a bar the contrast gets out of control really quickly. So watch the lighting!

Negatives done between 1000 and 1600 tend to be thin and easier to scan than print, though they're perfectly printable if you enjoy multi-grade printing.

The first attached shot (cigarette) was at EI 1000 in daylight, through a med. yellow filter (#21), the print was:
8x10" crop, 80mm lens, all exposures at f/11.
1. base exposure 36 seconds at grade 4, dodge coat for the first 16 secs.
2. cement the shadows, 5 seconds at grade 5.
3. flatten some of the highlights, flash for .5 seconds at grade 0.
4. vignette the corners, 4 seconds at grade 2.

The second shot (friend Paul sitting in a chair across a café at night) was EI 1600 with no filter. The print:
8x10" crop, 80mm lens, all exposures at f/8.
1. base exposure 20 seconds at grade 3, dodging body the entire time, paying special attention to hair, face, and eyes.
2. Post burn the right side of the frame for 7 seconds at grade 3, to set in the shadows and minimize the chair.

So, it's for sure doable with tri-x!
 
Wasn't Diafine made for Tri-X? It's probably the more versatile film of the two, and there are more pet techniques on the web to try, which is handy when you've got 100' of it.
 
Wow guys, you sure are a great help.

I decided to get trix and neopan, while my bank account allows it :D. While the money is there, might as well spend it, eh? With 100' of each, I should have a lot of fun. My friend also got a job at the university dark room, so maybe I will start going there and using all of their fancy equipment.

Oh, and thanks for the info tetris, you are a great resource.
 
Einars the cheapest bulk Neopan 400 is from the Megaperls web site. The film takes 2-3 weeks to come from Japan but the price is right - Neopan 400 is currently $30/100ft roll there - about $1.60/36 exposure roll.

 
thanks for the tip, i ended up getting the iso 1600 neopan (only $30 for a 100' roll, wow!) which is rated at around 2000 iso in diafine. now thats what I call high speed! the trix I got from adorama + another bulk loader. gosh, film is fun!
 
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Anybody here got a scan of Neopan 1600 in Diafine? I'd like to see what that looks like. I use NP1600 but its developed in XTOL.

 
peter_n said:
Einars the cheapest bulk Neopan 400 is from the Megaperls web site. The film takes 2-3 weeks to come from Japan but the price is right - Neopan 400 is currently $30/100ft roll there - about $1.60/36 exposure roll.

Click to expand...
Is the 'Presto' the same emulsion as my beloved Neopan400 in the UK?

No-one in the UK can get it bulk anymore.
 
Yes Mark. 'Presto' is Neopan 400 and 'Super Presto' is Neopan 1600. I recently bought 3 rolls of Super Presto and the price is right and delivery was as promised. The film cans come in medium size bubble-wrap envelopes and take 2-3 weeks. Excellent service BTW. I have no connection etc... :)

 
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